Research by Zlín-Based Scientists Helped Students from Litomyšl Win the Festival of Science and Technology for Youth
31. March 2023Students of the Alois Jirásek Grammar School in Litomyšl, namely Matěj Kovář and Radovan Fila, were successful thanks to the project entitled “The Impact of Cigarettes on the Human Body and on the Surroundings”. They won the main prize in the Junior category, which qualifies them for a study period in France. During their research, they also collaborated with scientists from the Centre of Polymer Systems (CPS) of Tomas Bata University in Zlín (TBU).
The contest popular among young researchers is regularly organized by the Association for Youth, Science and Technology (AMAVET) in cooperation with the Pardubice Regional Authority, the University of Pardubice, the University of Hradec Králové and other partners.
“We were thinking about what we could improve in the project to be presented in the regional round. At that time, our teacher saw a report on the Czech Television about the Centre of Polymer Systems and about the use of cigarette butts for removal of hormones from wastewater,” says Matěj Kovář, a thirteen-year-old student of the eight-year grammar school, and adds: “The very next day I found more articles in the media about the success achieved by the Zlín-based scientists, and I contacted the principal researcher of the project, Prof. Vladimír Sedlařík, whom I asked for more information.”
Almost immediately, the students started to collaborate with the Centre of Polymer Systems. Prof. Vladimír Sedlařík met with Matěj Kovář, offered samples of nanofibers made from cigarette butts and described in detail the results of the research achieved so far. “I was pleased to see that the results of our research found a response among grammar school students. I was happy to cooperate. I consider the support of young people interested in science to be one of the key activities of universities,” says Prof. Vladimír Sedlařík, Director of the Centre for Polymer Systems.
“We really appreciate it. For the regional round, we studied in English about how the whole process was working,” says Matěj Kovář. For their successful presentation, they received the Award by the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology of the University of Pardubice as well as the main prize – a study period in France. “We have learned a tremendous amount of information, for example that cigarette butts can be used to remove hormones from wastewater. We have also learned about how the spinning process works in an electric field and plenty of other information related to this issue,” says Matěj Kovář enthusiastically.
“We would like to thank Prof. Vladimír Sedlařík for his willingness to help us both with obtaining of information and with the preparation of the text required directly for our presentation. To be in contact with an expert like him shows us the importance of scientific chemical knowledge, and certainly motivates us to study in future,” add both students unanimously.
“I am very happy that Professor Sedlařík devoted his free time to our second-year students and discussed their contest contribution with them directly at our school. I hope that we will establish cooperation with Tomas Bata University in Zlín, giving our students an opportunity to work at a top-class institution and discuss their seminar papers with experts in specialized departments of the Zlín-based university,” says Ivana Hynková, Headmaster of the Alois Jirásek Grammar School in Litomyšl.
“In my opinion, the project aimed to support young researchers is very useful. It is an example of good practice in cooperation between secondary schools and universities. I believe that we will be able to organize a similar event here, in the Zlín Region,” concludes Prof. Sedlařík.